TOPIC: Some questions on buying a DRZ400E

I currently have a DT125RE and about to pass test, I wish to get possibly a DRZ400E, just have a couple of questions, if thats ok...

- I am fairly tall at 6'2" and 200 Lbs, would this bike be big enough, as on a DT125 I find it a little low especially when sitting position?

- With regard to buying a second hand bike, some say get a pre 2005 model as better carb on it? does this mean it simply isn't worth getting a later model?

- What sort of mileage per annum would be reasonable on a second hand bike eg, a 5 year old bike, as in cars you would be looking at 10K a year, but obviously bikes differ?

- The original speedo on the bike in UK is just a analogue speedo with mph and mileage, is it possible to use the Vapor unit on this bike, as not sure how the rev meter can work as no lead for it?

- I am bit worried bout buying a newer one incase it gets roughed up, how tough are they for say weekend trials (not pro), if dropped a few times and come off etc, am I liable to lose money on a newer bike?

Many thanks for looking at this, sorry to be a newbie, but gotta start somewhere :laugh:

Firstly - I would like to start of by saying I don't know how much the US bikes differ to ours here in Aust.

The DRZ is a very tall bike. I am 5'7" and am on tip toes to reach the ground with the 1" shorter SM seat. Having said that, I would not want the seating position anymore cramped than what they are.

The tacho on a vapor speedo just wraps around the plug lead, so there is no problems there, and some of them have extra features like temp etc. There is also the acwell models that are worth looking at too. I have a cheap chinese jobby that has worked out well at the moment.

The DRZ is a great all rounder, but I wish at the time I bought it I had the money to extend to a KLX450R, purely as I found them physically a better size.

Maintenance Wise the DRZ's are ok. Air Filter access is great and there isn't the issues with valve clearences and changing the oil every ride or 2 like the new gen 450's. None the less, removing the carb and spark plug changes are a bitch when compared to a 2-stroke.

On the road the DRZ would benifet from a 6th gear, hovewever I wouldn't buy a euro bike just for that extra gear.

I'm 6'3 and 100kg and size wise i have no worries. I put a set of high bend fat bars on and it's fine. The seat is one of the largest out there - so if its too big you get get a shaved down seat.

Mines an 09 and yes it's bn dropped, flipped, slid and scraped and it apart from a bar change (from the originals which didn't last long) it gets up and goes on again. Mine takes a beating so prob wouldn't get massive re-sale but I'm not looking at changing yet. It takes a beating and still gets up and goes again and again. Yep mine was new...

reasonable mileage on a used one ummm - maybe 5-10K...more??

I have no issue with the FCR carb on mine - part from the access and spark access (you need to take of the tank. FLoat bowl is not to bad, just need some patience and smaller hands.

Cant help with the speedo unit, even the Aus model speedo doesn't have rev or hours...

I am about 6'3 and 105kg bike fits ok but I put some renthal Jimmy Button bars and it with risers also a MSR gear lever makes gear changing easy with big feet as it is an inch longer than stock, as my legs are long found seating a bit cramped so I might put a taller seat on to give me more leg room but not really that fussed.
better of to get later model with low kilometers (miles) on it as older cheaper one could cost you more in long run,never heard of pre 2005 models having better carbies on them but your version could be different than Australian model ours has Keihin FCR 39 flatside carburetor fitted on DRZ400 E models.
as for milage lower is better anything with more than 15 000 mile's in total may need some freshning up I guess

Fitted Vapour speedo to mine rev meter works by inserting the red wire thats comes with it to the spade connector that connects the stator wire to the coil and earthing the black wire.

bike is durable if you go trail riding you have to expect it to get
some scratches on it, I put some B&B case guards and bash plate on mine to help protect engine.
Next step for my bike is to get the suspension resprung and revalved as to soft for me.

Thats great, many thanks for all your responses, It still looks like the one for me, the UK version is the same as far as I know, this is the best alround site for DRZ400E's as nothing much in UK.

With regard to the seat, many second hand bikes here in UK seem to come with black seats, would I be right in thinking that is probably the SM seat which the person has fitted as lower than the stock Blue Enduro seat?

The only other issues some people mentioned with being tall was riding when standing up offroad as the pegs are quite high?

My current learning bike is a DT125 RE (un restricted), its a good height until you sit on it and I can almost bend my knees with feet flat on floor! not to mention 2 stroke constant spin outs and having to over rev all the time :(

Don't go by the seat colour - it often matches the graphic on the tank. The only reason I know there is a 1" difference in the E an SM seat is I had both and measured them. The standard E seat is fairly flat and doesn't have much of a scollop between the rear quard and tank.

Theres a few things diferrent on that bike compared to the australian drz.. Its a nice looking neat rear guard .... and the speedo is not the same ... Cant figure out what that thing is on the top of the front right fork .. perhaps one of them thingys for when you enter the city they charge you for using the road ? maybe ? .. I have a 1/12 scale model of that very bike .. same colors .. i have had it for about two and a half years ..

Don't go by the seat colour - it often matches the graphic on the tank. The only reason I know there is a 1" difference in the E an SM seat is I had both and measured them. The standard E seat is fairly flat and doesn't have much of a scollop between the rear quard and tank.

Thanks for replies, is the 1" difference in height or in length? thanks

Don't go by the seat colour - it often matches the graphic on the tank. The only reason I know there is a 1" difference in the E an SM seat is I had both and measured them. The standard E seat is fairly flat and doesn't have much of a scollop between the rear quard and tank.

Thanks for replies, is the 1" difference in height or in length? thanks